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NEW INTERIORS TREND: make it plant-based

Leafy houseplants are making a comeback in summer 2018’s most stylish homes. As well as being an easy way to update your style, they could help improve your health and wellbeing. In her new book, Victoria Harrison digs a little deeper into the research

Although we aren’t sure exactly why, many of us feel that having some plants around us is fundamentally a good thing. As it turns out, we’re on the right track. We are also in the company of some very smart people, because when I started delving into the world of houseplants, my research led me to a rather surprising place: NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

Indoor plants have been given space-age levels of consideration since the 1980s, when a team of NASA scientists, led by Dr Bill Wolverton, undertook a Clean Air Study to look at ways of tackling the newly observed phenomenon of ‘sick building syndrome’ (SBS). This can occur when a building is sealed too well and pollutants, released by carpets, furniture and even cleaning products, build up and get trapped inside. Think of it as being inside a space rocket without the breathing apparatus.

About Healthy Food Guide

We put the record straight on carbs (yes, you can and should eat them if you want to lose weight) - with our expert guide on choosing the right types and making clever swaps. We've also got everything you need for a healthy holiday, from time-saving beauty hacks to help you look and feel great while you're away to a rundown of the healthcare apps to trust. And our easy, light, delicious recipes will help you make the most of those warm summer evenings with friends…